Gemotions

A leaden weight settled in Bernard's chest. He felt sluggish, unable to muster his usual zeal for his antique clock collection. The tick-tock, tick-tock that normally soothed him now grated on his nerves. He slumped in his armchair, observing his son, Samuel, meticulously polishing a grandfather clock with a soft cloth. Samuel, usually distracted by video games, was engrossed. "Dad," Samuel announced, his eyes shining, "I think I figured out how to fix the Westminster chimes on this one." Bernard stared at the clock, feeling apathetic about the task. The very thought felt exhausting.